Mollymook's Kalindi Commerford will be the first to admit, the past six months have been her busiest on the hockey field to date. It all started in February, when Commerford's Hockeyroos defeated the Netherlands 1-nil on Melbourne. Since then, the Hockeyroos - also featuring Gerringong's Grace Stewart - enjoyed seven more games on home soil before making stops at Auckland, Buenos Aires, Pennsylvania, Changzhou, London, Krefeld, Antwerp and Amstelveen - to finish the inaugural Pro League season with a 9-2-5 record. "The past few months have definitely the most hectic of my career," Commerford said. "I felt like a bit of a nomad at times - we would travel 14-20 hours on a plane for one game of hockey and spend three to five weeks away at a time. "It was exciting in the sense that having one-off games in various countries, usually attracting big crowds. "I was also exposed to different cultures around the world, which is useful when understanding how some countries play hockey." READ MORE: Wide Ward of Sports: Kalindi Commerford (Hockey) This record saw the Hockeyroos finish third in the standings behind the Netherlands and Argentina, with the 25-year-old's side facing the latter in the semi-final. Thankfully, the Hockeyroos won through to the final in a shootout, setting up a decided with the world number one Netherlands side, on their home turf in Amsterdam. Despite fighting to send the game into a shootout, after it finished at 2-all, the Hockeyroos went down 4-3 in another shootout. "We still have some work to do if we want to be number one in the world and win gold at the Olympics," Commerford said. "We have proven over the last six months that we are a formidable opponent for the Dutch, but international hockey comes down to inches and small moments sometimes. "We still have some work to do to ensure we win all those moments. "In saying that, the silver medal shows progress in our group. "It means we've moved from number three to two in the world ranking. "So forward steps, but I think we had our chances and need to be more clinical at ceasing them - I'm sure this will be a continued focus." Although disappointed to not have taken out the first ever Pro League, Commerford took positives away from the tournament. "Personally across all the games I thought I was pretty consistent," she said. "Definitely some room for improvement but overall I was happy." Related content: Commerford opens about the physical and mental pressures of playing elite sport In the same vein, Commerford knows how hard she had to work on and off the field to ensure her performances were up to her standards. "It was a very challenging six months," she said. "Physically there was very little down time, as we trained at high competitive levels regardless of jet lag or travel times - we had to in order to stay competitive. "Mentally there was six months of scouting and staying switched on. "When you're in competition the level of attention and mental energy that goes into competitions is much higher. "So lots of learnings and strategies to take into the next phase of training and competition." Of all the 18 matches they played, Commerford said the ones against their Anzac rivals New Zealand stood out the most. "When you travel the world playing hockey and various cultures the memories are all so unique," she said. "In particular, the two games against New Zealand are quite special. "One was played in Sydney after the Christchurch shooting and the other played in Auckland on Anzac Day. "Both games carried more sentimental value and I think you felt that emotion on the field." Upon reflecting on the inaugural international tournament, which replaced the Champions Trophy, Commerford said there are exciting times ahead for the sport of hockey. "It [Pro League] increases exposure of the highest level of hockey worldwide," she said. "Also having one-off games seemed more exciting for spectators to come and watch games against countries who previous rarely play in their country. "It's raising the profile of the game and of individual players. "Sadly some countries like China and Germany didn't seen to attract the same level of attention, so it would be good to look at why and make some changes for next year. "In terms of excitement, I don't think the Pro League has built up enough prestige for it to excite as many emotions as a World Cup or Olympic Games. "We are the flag bearers for this event and I'm sure over time this will come." The former Ulladulla High School student is now enjoying some down time in Perth before ramping up training once again. "When we start training again later this month, our main focus will be the Oceania Cup (Olympic qualifier) - which we've had one eye on all year," she said. "We also have a tour to Japan in August. "This Test series will help expose us to the playing conditions we may be faced with at the Olympics." Commerford will also be lining up for the Canberra Chill in the first ever Hockey One competition, with their opening match being against the Brisbane Blaze on Sunday, September 29.

Mollymook's Kalindi Commerford reflects on most hectic six months of her hockey career

Mollymook's Kalindi Commerford will be the first to admit, the past six months have been her busiest on the hockey field to date.

It all started in February, when Commerford's Hockeyroos defeated the Netherlands 1-nil on Melbourne.

Since then, the Hockeyroos - also featuring Gerringong's Grace Stewart - enjoyed seven more games on home soil before making stops at Auckland, Buenos Aires, Pennsylvania, Changzhou, London, Krefeld, Antwerp and Amstelveen - to finish the inaugural Pro League season with a 9-2-5 record.

"The past few months have definitely the most hectic of my career," Commerford said.

"I felt like a bit of a nomad at times - we would travel 14-20 hours on a plane for one game of hockey and spend three to five weeks away at a time.

"It was exciting in the sense that having one-off games in various countries, usually attracting big crowds.

"I was also exposed to different cultures around the world, which is useful when understanding how some countries play hockey."